Can you take radioactive iodine while pregnant?
Radioactive iodine (RAI) is used effectively in the treatment of hyperthyroidism and thyroid cancer, but it is contraindicated during pregnancy. RAI treatment during pregnancy can lead to fetal hypothyroidism, mental retardation and increased malignancy risk in the infant.
What precautions should be taken after radioactive iodine?
| Instructions to reduce exposure to others after I-131 RAI treatment | |
|---|---|
| Action | Duration (Days) |
| Do not share utensils with others | 2-3 |
| Sit to urinate and flush the toilet 2-3 times after use | 2-3 |
| Sleep in a separate bed (~6 feet of separation) from pregnant partner, child or infant | 6-23* |
Why is radioiodine contraindicated in pregnancy?
Radioactive iodine should never be administered to pregnant women, because it can cross the placenta and ablate the fetus’s thyroid, resulting in hypothyroidism. Similarly, breastfeeding is a contraindication, in that the radioisotope is secreted in breast milk.
How can I control my thyroid during pregnancy?
Most thyroid specialists recommend taking two extra doses of thyroid medicine per week, starting right away. Contact your doctor as soon as you know you’re pregnant. Your doctor will most likely test your thyroid hormone levels every 4 to 6 weeks for the first half of your pregnancy, and at least once after 30 weeks.
How long after radioactive iodine treatment can I get pregnant?
Currently, the American Thyroid Association recommends women to wait at least 6 months to become pregnant after radioactive iodine therapy. This study was done to evaluate risk of abortion, premature birth, and birth defect after radioactive iodine therapy for thyroid cancer.
What are the side effects of iodine 131?
Common side effects of Sodium Iodide I 131 include nausea, vomiting, chest pain, rapid heart rate, itching skin, rash, and hives. Dosing of Sodium Iodide I 131 ranges widely from 5 to 1000 microcuries, depending on the procedure being performed.
Can you have a thyroidectomy while pregnant?
Postponing surgery to at least 6-7 months after diagnosis of DTC in the first trimester does not adversely affect prognosis; on the other hand, thyroidectomy can be safely performed in the second trimester of pregnancy or after delivery 15.
What are the precautions for sodium iodide I 131?
Precautions. Sodium iodide I 131 is passed in the urine. To prevent contamination of your home, flush the toilet twice after you urinate. If you were treated with sodium iodide I 131 for an overactive thyroid, your doctor may want to check the level of thyroid hormone in your blood every 2 to 3 months during the first year,…
Can I get pregnant after iodine therapy?
Women who receive radioactive iodine therapy are generally advised to avoid pregnancy in the 6-12 months after treatment, due to the risks of radiation to the eggs within the ovaries. In women, one way of measuring ovarian reserve (i.e. the ability to achieve a pregnancy) are blood levels of anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH).
Is radioiodine treatment safe during pregnancy?
Radioiodine treatment should not be given during pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or could be pregnant. If you are planning to become pregnant, you should wait at least 6 months after treatment to ensure your thyroid hormone level is normal and that you do not need additional treatment.
What is the use of iodine 131 capsules?
Sodium Iodide I 131 Capsules Therapeutic is a radioactive therapeutic agent indicated for the treatment of hyperthyroidism and thyroid carcinomas that take up iodine. Palliative effects may be observed in patients with advanced thyroid malignancy if the metastatic lesions take up iodine. (1)
